I
grew up in the Midwest, where the entertainment business seemed as remote as
the Antarctic. It didn’t seem like a viable career choice even though I loved
movies, television, and video games as a child. I took a chance on an entry
level position testing video games. The first time I met someone who thoroughly
enjoyed a game that I worked on, I knew I made the right choice. There is no
feeling to rival giving the gift of joy and wonder. That’s what I get from
making entertainment.

2. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB IN THE INDUSTRY?

My first job was working as a video
game tester. It’s the equivalent of working the proverbial Hollywood "mail room”.
It’s a generally thankless job with long hours and low pay, with visibility
into almost every aspect of the business.

3. HOW DID YOU START OUT AS A PRODUCER?

A fellow tester who had worked in
games for many years told me that I had the right personality for a producer.
At the time, I didn’t really know what a producer did. So I simply asked. I got
an hour’s worth of time from one of our producers and the studio director, and
ended up with a job as an AP on the next game we made.

4. WHAT LED YOU TO JOIN THE PGA?

When I decided to shift from video
games into television, I was confronted with a daunting set of questions about
how Hollywood worked. What better way than to ask a group of professionals?

5. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER/COMMITTEE WORK YOU DO FOR
THE GUILD?

Absolutely. My work with the guild centers on
advocacy. I’m always on the lookout for how give current and prospective
members the tools to take their project, and their career, to the next level.

6. WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?

Right now I’m working on helping make
"television over the internet” a more enjoyable experience.

7. WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR MOST INTERESTING PROJECTS, AND WHAT
DID YOU LEARN FROM THEM?

There is something to be learned from
every project. I don’t say that to be trite. Valkyria Chronicles taught me the
value of "Under promise and over deliver”. MadWorld taught me the joys of
improv acting. And working as a Production Assistant on a feature film set for
two weeks taught me more lessons than an entire year’s
worth of book learning.